Minister President Volker Bouffier opens new college. Nutrition centre at the Weiterstadt Training and Technology Centre.
"This is the start of a new era for dual education and training in the Rhein-Main metropolitan region," promised Bernd Ehinger, President of the Frankfurt-Rhein-Main Chamber of Crafts and Trades. While the total investment of €12 million is being used to directly bolster initial and continuing vocational education and training in 130 occupations in the Chamber's district, the main intention is to deliver high quality standards and the latest training course content in a modern environment. The general message was that companies are not just in need of sufficient skilled workers; above all they need skilled workers who are equipped to compete.
Chamber president Ehinger specifically thanked the state government of Hesse for focusing on vocational education and training. Hesse was the first federal state to allow master craftsmen and women to be admitted to all universities. The meat producing trade is also benefiting significantly from the support. With investments of € 2.2 million and € 3.23 million respectively, the state and federal governments funded the construction work for the recently established Centre of Excellence for the Food Trade as well as the college which provides overnight accommodation for 115 guests.
Rhein-Main campus: The new Centre of Excellence for the Food Trade
At the opening, Hesse's Minister President Volker Bouffier (from the CDU party) stressed: "This college is a powerful signal for the strength and success of dual training. After all, good training protects us from unemployment." The state’s senior politician is also well aware of the challenges involved in attracting sufficient young people to training. He therefore called on the 500 guests from business and policy making - thus representing the pillars of training - to promote both the academic and the vocational pathway. "They are both of equal value, and that needs to be emphasized again and again," explained Bouffier.